Shiites stream into Karbala to commemorate Arbaʽeen

A year ago, around 14 million Shiite visitors arrived at the shrine of Imam Hussein in the central Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate Arbaʽeen, (the fortieth day), a religious observance that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura.

The same religious occasion comes this year amid fears from a second wave of the coronavirus which is hitting Iraq as well as everywhere else.

Iraq was one of the countries hardest hit by the disease.

Despite border closures and the tight security measures taken by Iraqi authorities, tens of thousands of Shiites converged into Karbala to commemorate Arbaʽeen. This is the most sober religious occasion for Shiites.

Over 375,000 Iraqis contracted Covid-19 and 9,500 others died of the disease. Iraqi authorities specified the limit of 1,500 visitors from each state for the religious occasion. They allowed neighboring Iran to send in an additional 2,500 visitors through land borders, even as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iranians would not participate in this religious occasion in Iraq this year.

Visitors keep flowing

Iraqi Shiites march toward the shrine of Hussein in Karbala from all parts of Iraq. Groups of Iraqis stream from provinces and cities as far as the southernmost parts of Iraq and the northernmost parts of the country to participate in this religious occasion. There are points for rest in the middle of the road where food and medical services are offered the visitors.

Hundreds of Iraqis gather at the rest tents and medical centers to get food and services. Iraqi authorities impose, meanwhile, strict health measures in these points.